Flu vaccination campaign starts

Seasonal flu vaccination began nationwide today. People can get the jab at their local polyclinic or at any nearby medical facility taking part in the state immunisation programme.

Anyone wishing to be vaccinated should bring an identity document so the facility can verify their details and record the vaccination in the electronic system.

Georgia has purchased 200,000 doses of Vaxigrip, a French-made, trivalent seasonal flu vaccine produced by Sanofi Winthrop Industrie and prequalified by the World Health Organisation.

Flu vaccination is recommended for everyone aged six months and over, but some groups face a particularly high risk of severe illness and complications. These are people aged 60 and over, pregnant women, children aged six months to five years, people with chronic illnesses, cancer patients, healthcare workers, and residents and staff of care homes and shelters for older people.

The state fully funded the vaccine, and it is free for all citizens. It is available both in Tbilisi and in the regions.

A list of participating medical facilities and polyclinics is available at www.ncdc.ge.